Worries rise over threat of more IBM layoffs

Alliance@IBM says it's once again worried about the possibility of more job cuts at Big Blue.

The labor group notes IBM's announcement Wednesday that the corporation will spend $1 billion this year on "workforce re-balancing" in the wake of disappointing earnings.

There is no official word on exactly what this means for employees at IBM's Essex Junction plant.

Vermont Commissioner of Labor Annie Noonan says she has no information beyond IBM's public statements, but the department is pushing the Legislature to pass a state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN Act, this year. It would require any employer who lays off 20 or more staff to give the state 90 days advance notice.

The Labor Department says that would do more than the federal WARN Act to help the state line up resources to help affected workers and their communities.

"The more notice that we receive, the quicker we can put all the pieces together to help workers get re-employed. And that's obviously key," said Noonan.

She says Vermont has looked at WARN acts in other states and taken the best parts of each law to tailor one that best works in the Green Mountain State.